Planning your future care with dementia
Receiving a life limiting diagnosis can be overwhelming. It is a good time to make early plans for your future care and put arrangements in place to support these wishes. There can be waiting times for assessments and to make arrangements, so it is important to plan for your needs in advance.
Care options
It is important to know the care options available for a person living with dementia. Some people may stay at home for all of their care, utilising support services available to them. See caring for someone who has dementia to learn more.
Some people may stay at a supported living facility such as a retirement village, residential care facility or hospice facility. There are many options available to suit your wishes and needs. Needs may change and you can always update your arrangements as required.
The starting point for government-funded aged care is My Aged Care. Call 1800 200 422 to apply for an aged care assessment, which determines eligibility and care needs. If you are caring for someone younger than 65 years old, support may be from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Residential care
You may want to consider residential care as dementia progresses. Depending on your circumstances, residential care may be able to provide additional support and medical care. There can be waiting times for residential care, so it is important to plan for your needs in advance.
Explore residential aged care options:
Planning ahead
It’s wise to plan ahead. For example, you may need to plan for changes in your finances, ability to drive, health and decision-making ability. It’s important to do this early when you can make your own choices. You may also want to create a dementia friendly environment by adapting your home to reduce the risk of falls and support independent living. To learn more about planning ahead, you can visit:
This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.